Archive for the ‘Change’ Category

29 Apr

The New Man

Posted by sandhillspastor in Change, Christian Living, Faith, The Good News.

In my sermon this week, I spoke on the topic of spiritual rebirth, and pointed out that when we are born again spiritually, we become a new creation. As I studied this past week, the following illustration came to mind.

A short time back, I purchased a tablet computer for my dear wife. She’s not totally into technology, but is learning. Everything has to work about right, or she’s done. Wouldn’t you know the new tablet was defective right out of the box? The company offered to repair the old one, or send me a refurbished one as a replacement. Well, I didn’t want the old one repaired, and I didn’t want a refurbished one. What was needed was a completely new device.

When we come to the teaching in the Bible that says as believers, we are new creations, I really don’t think this means God merely restores us to our original condition, nor are we just updated. It is more like a complete rebuild. In our world of computers, it would be removing everything, including the hard drive, and installing a new operating system, using only the original case.

People are born with a sin nature. Being restored to original condition would mean nothing had changed. Even an update would only give us a newer version of the old man. We are talking about a complete reprogramming, including a new way of processing information, a new way of life, and a new hope for the future.

God says when we trust Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are a new creation: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22).

In summary, becoming a new creation means a transformed life. It is not possible for a genuine follower of Jesus Christ to continue in a life of sin, as if nothing happened.

By the way, we did get a new replacement for the old tablet, and it works just as its maker intended.
In His Love,
Pastor Jerry

15 Oct

Winds of Change

Posted by sandhillspastor in Change, Christian Living, Eternal Life, The Good News.

I have noticed a change in the air. Our winds have taken a northerly direction in the last few weeks. It is something that happens this time of the year. Along with the winds come other changes. The leaves turn from green to yellow and orange, some are even bright red. It is a signal of a larger change, one that is moving us from summer, through fall, and into winter.

Those who miss the changing of the season will be mighty uncomfortable when those winter winds come with their freezing temperatures, along with snow and ice.

The seasons of our lives change, also. This is not a new subject, but one we might need to consider again.

I believe, whether we want it or not, change comes into our lives regularly. Many times, we are forced to change because of circumstances. Occasionally, the Lord sends change our way to mold us into the person he wants us to be. I have found in my own life, that the best way to deal with change is to think of it in terms of a book that is being written. As one chapter closes, another opens for us.

The Bible deals very much with the subject of change. Abraham was called by God to pack up and move all his belongings to a place he had never heard of, much less visited. Daniel and his friends were taken into captivity. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, and spent time in prison for a something he did not do.

In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, the writer tells us there is a time for everything, and most of it involves change.

And, the person who sincerely accepts Jesus Christ as his Savior will undergo real change. The Bible says if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17). Talk about change!

Finally, at the last day, we will all be changed ( 1 Corinthians 15:51-52). John tells us that we who believe will all be like Jesus. (1 John 3:2).

Change is inevitable. Don’t miss it. Let us be sure we are making and accepting those changes with eternity in view.

One more thing–God does not change, nor does his Word.

Changed because of Him,
Pastor Jerry

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